Dorothy Masuku is one of the most influential popular jazz artists in South Africa. She has been performing for more than fifty years and remains a driving force in the contemporary South African urban music scene. Masuku received three Lifetime Achievement Awards at the South African Music Awards by 2005 and was nominated for five South African Music Awards in 2005, including Best Jazz Album and Best Female Vocalist. Her hits such as "Madiba" and "Pata Pata" (the first African song to reach America's Top 10 pop charts) represent the fact that African music can reach a mainstream international audience.

Bakithi Kumalo first came to the attention of the American public following the release of Paul Simon's Graceland in 1986. His precise and sinuous bass lines went far beyond simply marking time and thundered out a countdown for the dismemberment of Apartheid. Bakithi's debut American solo recording, San' Bonan' (Welcome) is a strong statement to his artistry as it blends the roots music he grew up with and the music he has encountered on his journey. The cd's roster is impressive. There are singers hailing from South Africa , Brazil and America. Bakithi's talented wife, Robbi Hall Kumalo, sings second lead and background vocals. Among the instrumental forces are the South African penny-whistle whiz Morris Goldberg, percussionists Don Alias, Jeff Haynes and Marc Quinones, guitarists Steve Khan and Chieli Minucci, plus producer and label head Mike Landy on keyboards.